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Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

Woke up with a red, sticky, or itchy eye? You don't need to sit in an Ottawa walk-in clinic. At our Orleans pharmacy, a licensed pharmacist can assess pink eye, identify the likely type, and prescribe treatment — including antibiotic eye drops when they're actually needed — in one visit, free with OHIP.

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is inflammation of the thin membrane lining the eyelid and covering the white of the eye. It's the most common cause of red eye worldwide, and it affects kids and adults alike.

The three types of pink eye — and why it matters

Bacterial pink eye causes thick yellow-green discharge and eyelids stuck together in the morning. Viral pink eye causes watery discharge, often alongside a cold, and is very contagious. Allergic pink eye causes intense itching and watery eyes, usually in both eyes at once. Telling them apart matters because antibiotics only help the bacterial kind — a pharmacist assessment sorts out which one you have and gets you the right treatment, not just any treatment.

Conjunctivitis is the most common cause of red eye seen in primary care. Most viral cases clear on their own within 1–2 weeks, while bacterial cases typically improve within days of starting antibiotic drops.

Common signs and symptoms

Redness in the white of one or both eyes
Gritty, burning, or itchy feeling
Discharge — thick and yellow-green (bacterial) or watery (viral/allergic)
Eyelids crusted or stuck together on waking
Tearing and mild sensitivity to light

Treatments our Orleans pharmacist can prescribe

For your information only: in Ontario, our pharmacist can assess this condition and, when appropriate, prescribe from the medications listed below. This information is provided for educational purposes — it is not an offer to sell. These are treatments that require a pharmacist assessment, and the right option is chosen for you.

Antibacterials (bacterial pink eye): Erythromycin (ointment), Fusidic acid (Fucithalmic), Gramicidin/Polymyxin B (Polysporin Eye Drops), Polymyxin B/Trimethoprim (Polytrim), Tobramycin (Tobrex)

Antiallergic agents (allergic pink eye): Antazoline, Bepotastine (Bepreve), Cromolyn sodium, Ketotifen (Zaditor), Lodoxamide (Alomide), Olopatadine (Patanol, Pataday), Pheniramine

Vasoconstrictors (short-term redness): Naphazoline, Oxymetazoline, Phenylephrine, Tetrahydrozoline

Self-care that helps

Lubricating / artificial tear drops to flush irritants and soothe
Allergy eye drops (e.g., ketotifen/Zaditor) for itchy, allergic eyes
Sterile eye wash / saline to rinse discharge and debris
Warm compresses for crusting; cool compresses for itch
Wash hands often and don't share towels or pillowcases — viral and bacterial pink eye spread easily

Browse related over-the-counter options in our Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) self-care collection, or ask us in store — our pharmacists will point you to what actually helps.

How the assessment works

1. Walk in or callNo appointment or referral needed. Drop by our pharmacy on St-Joseph Blvd in Orleans during opening hours, or call ahead.

2. Private consultationA licensed pharmacist reviews your symptoms, health history and medications in a short, private assessment.

3. Prescription in handIf appropriate, we prescribe and fill your treatment on the spot — you leave with what you need.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need antibiotics for pink eye?

Only if it's bacterial. Viral and allergic conjunctivitis don't respond to antibiotics — and most pink eye in adults is viral. Our pharmacist assesses which type you likely have and prescribes antibiotic drops only when they'll actually help.

Can my child be assessed for pink eye at the pharmacy?

Yes, children can be assessed with a parent or guardian present. Pink eye in newborns, however, always needs urgent medical care.

How long is pink eye contagious?

Bacterial pink eye is typically no longer contagious after 24–48 hours of antibiotic drops. Viral pink eye can be contagious as long as the eye is red and watering — often 1–2 weeks — so hand hygiene matters.

Is the pharmacist assessment covered by OHIP?

Yes. The minor ailment assessment is free with a valid Ontario health card. You only pay for the medication itself if one is prescribed, and that is often covered by your drug plan.

Do I need an appointment at your Orleans pharmacy?

No. Walk-ins are welcome during all pharmacy hours — Monday to Friday 9:00 AM–6:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM. You can also call 613-824-3111 ahead of your visit.

When to see a doctor instead: Seek medical care promptly — do not wait — if you have vision changes or eye pain, intense light sensitivity, copious yellow-green discharge with rapidly worsening symptoms, recent eye surgery or injury, or symptoms in a newborn. Contact lens wearers should stop wearing lenses and be assessed.

Red eye? Get it looked at today.

Skip the walk-in clinic wait. Our Orleans pharmacists assess and prescribe for pink eye — free with your Ontario health card.

Call 613 · 824 · 3111 Hours & directions

Serving Orleans and east Ottawa — Fallingbrook, Avalon, Chapel Hill, Queenswood Heights, Blackburn Hamlet, Navan & Cumberland. 2746 St-Joseph Blvd, Unit 100, Orleans, ON K1C 1G5.